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Liverpool warn England over Gerrard risks

Despite missing Liverpool's six-goal thrashing of Derby at the weekend as he continues to recover from a broken toe, Gerrard has assured McClaren he will be available for the crucial Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Russia.

The certainty with which Gerrard made his declaration has led to speculation the midfielder would be prepared to have the kind of painkilling injection which allowed him to get through Liverpool's Premier League encounter with Chelsea at Anfield earlier this month.

There is some doubt as to whether England's medical staff could carry out such a move, even with the player's permission, without Liverpool's approval.

Given McClaren's insistence his own physios will liaise with their Liverpool counterparts during the week, it is highly unlikely such a scenario would occur anyway.

"We have not taken any risks with Steven at Liverpool and I would not expect England to take any risks with him," he said.

"We do not want Steven to play for England with any painkilling injections.

"We did that against Chelsea and it took four to five days for him to recover to be able to train again."